TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

2010 DataDOT HS 811 625 August 2012

PedestriansIn 2010, 4,280 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 70,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States. On average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes. A pedestrian, as defined for the purpose of this Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, is any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash. For the purpose of this Traffic Safety Fact Sheet a traffic crash is an incident that involves one or more vehicles where at least one vehicle is in-transport and the crash originates on a public traffic way. Crashes that occurred exclusively on private property, including parking lots and driveways, were excluded. The 4,280 pedestrian fatalities in 2010 were an increase of 4 percent from 2009, but a decrease of 13 percent from 2001. In 2010, pedestrian deaths accounted for 13 percent of all traffic fatalities, and made up 3 percent of all the people injured in traffic crashes.Table 1

In 2010, 4,280 pedestrians died in traffic crashes a 4-percent increase from the number reported in 2009.

Total Fatalities and Pedestrian Fatalities in Traffic Crashes, 2001-2010

AgeOlder pedestrians (age 65+) accounted for 19 percent (826) of all pedestrian fatalities and an estimated 11 percent (8,000) of all pedestrians injured in 2010. In 2010, the fatality rate for older pedestrians (age 65+) was 2.04 per 100,000 population higher than the rate for all the other ages. In 2010, almost one-fifth (19%) of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians. Children age 15 and younger accounted for 7percent of the pedestrian fatalities in 2010 and 23 percent of all pedestrians injured in traffic crashes.

In 2010, almost onefifth of the children between the ages of 5 and 9 killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.

Note: Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.

GenderMore than two-thirds (69%) of the pedestrians killed in 2010 were males. In 2010, the male pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 1.94 more than double the rate for females (0.85 per 100,000 population). In 2010, the male pedestrian injury rate per 100,000 population was 25, compared with 20 for female.NHTSAs National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

Pedestrian Fatalities by Time of Day and Day of Week, 2010

4 a.m. - 7:59 a.m.

8 a.m. - 11:59 a.m.

4%

Noon - 3:59 p.m.

5%

4 p.m. - 7:59 p.m.

8 p.m. - 11:59 p.m.

Alcohol InvolvementAlcohol involvement either for the driver or for the pedestrian was reported in 47 percent of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian fatalities. Of the pedestrians involved, 33 percent had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. Of the drivers involved in these fatal crashes, only 14 percent had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher, less than two-fifths the rate for the pedestrians. In 6 percent of the crashes, both the driver and the pedestrian had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.Table 5

Alcohol involvement either for the driver orthe pedestrianwas reported in 47 percent of all fatal pedestrian crashes.

Alcohol Involvement in Crashes That Resulted in Pedestrian Fatalities, 2010

*Excludes pedestrians under 16 years old and pedestrians of unknown age.

Important Safety Reminders

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Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing streets in marked or unmarked crosswalks in most situations. They need to be especially careful at intersections where the failure to yield right-of-way often occurs when drivers are turning onto another street and a pedestrian is in their path. When possible, cross the street at a designated crosswalk. Always stop and look left, right, and left again before crossing. If a parked vehicle is blocking the view of the street, stop at the edge line of the vehicle and look around it before entering thestreet. Increase visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking and by wearing retro-reflective clothing that helps to highlight body movements. It is much safer to walk on a sidewalk, but if you must walk in the street, walk facingtraffic.

For more information:

Information on traffic fatalities is available from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), NVS-424, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. NCSA can be contacted at 800-934-8517 or via the follow-ing e-mail address: ncsaweb@dot.gov. General information on highway traffic safety can be accessed by Internet users at www.nhtsa.gov/NCSA. To report a safety-related problem or to inquire about motor vehicle safety information, contact the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. Other fact sheets available from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis are Alcohol-Impaired Driving, Bicyclists and Other Cyclists, Children, Large Trucks, Motorcycles, Occupant Protection, Older Population, Overview, Passenger Vehicles, Race and Ethnicity, Rural/Urban Comparisons, School Transportation-Related Crashes, Speeding, State Alcohol Estimates, State Traffic Data, and Young Drivers. Detailed data on motor vehicle traffic crashes are published annually in Traffic Safety Facts: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System. The fact sheets and annual Traffic Safety Facts report can be accessed online at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/CATS/index.aspx.NHTSAs National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590